Antigua and Barbuda Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Antigua and Barbuda, State of the Caribbean; 442 km², 96,000 residents (2019).Antigua and Barbuda consist of three islands in the archipelago of the Little Antilles: Antigua (280 km² ), Barbuda (161 km² ) and the uninhabited Redonda (1.6 km² ). The capital is Saint John’s in Antigua (22,200 residents, 2012).

Country facts

Antigua and Barbuda / Antigua and Barbuda
Country abbreviation: AG
Area: 442 km²
Population (2019): 96,000 residents
Capital: Saint John’s
Main language: English
State: Monarchy
Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
Head of Government: Gaston Browne
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 16,864
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 15,810
Currency unit: 1 Caribbean dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: XCD
Country number (telephony): 1
Internet domain name: ag
Time difference compared to Sweden: −5
National Day: November 1 (Independence Day, 1981)

Nature

Land use: forest (11%), agricultural land (18%), other (71%)
Highest mountain: Boggy Peak (402 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 217 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.6%; birth rate 12 ‰, death rate 6 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (22%), 15-64 (69%), 65- (9%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 76 years, women 78 years
Infant mortality (2019): 0 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 100,000 residents
HDI (2017): 0.780 (place 70 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 25%
Most populous city (2012): Saint John’s (22,200 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (2%), industry (21%), service (77%)
Exports (2017): US $ 87 million
Main export products: chemical products, handicraft products
Main exporting countries: Poland, Cameroon, USA
Imports (2017): US $ 560 million
Main import products: food, machinery and transport equipment
Main importing countries: USA, Spain
Rail networks: none in use

Antigua and Barbuda is an island state in the Caribbean. Apart from the hilly southwest Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda consist of a flat landscape with low sandy beaches, coral reefs and many small ports. The climate is warm all year round, and the rainfall is moderate.

Since 1981, Antigua and Barbuda have been an independent member of the Commonwealth. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a Governor General. Parliament consists of two chambers, where the House of Representatives is elected for five years. Antigua’s southwestern part consists of hilly terrain, while the northeastern coast is known for its low sandy beaches, coral reefs and many small ports.

Antigua and Barbuda are often affected by hurricanes. In September 1995, the island nation suffered major damage from Hurricane Luis when about 75% of the settlement was destroyed. The country’s traditional industries of cotton and sugar processing have now declined in importance and been replaced by tourism. The islands are visited annually by about 250,000 tourists, and the tourism industry contributes 80% of GDP.